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In the beginning

It's the middle of my second week of internship. The first week was a little disjointed (no pun intended) due to my broken thumb and the Independence Day holiday. My first Sunday went well and I felt very welcomed into the Gloria Dei family. The second week is busier, but that's good because it helps me feel more settled in and attached to the church.

I have started this blog as a way to make public some of my feelings and experiences along this journey and to share with you some of my meditations. I may not be able to post daily, but I will generally try to share a poem, hymn, inspirational writing or Scripture verse that I have been contemplating.

My Hope is Built on Nothing Less

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' name

(Chorus) On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.


This hymn has become very significant to me in the past year. The explanation of the First Commandment ("You shall have no other gods.") in the Small Catechism says, "We are to fear, love and trust God above all things." This means love of God should be first in our hearts.

This is very difficult and, happily, God knows we are not really always able to live up to that standard and we are forgiven. Knowing that, we remember that God always loves us first. That notion should make us feel joyous, not guilty.

There are times, though, when the events of life are so overwhelming, nothing can be brought to mind except our feelings about the immediate circumstances. In those times, God's love comes to us in ways we might not be able to see at the time, but we will recognize later.

Christ's love for us is the rock we can cling to in the sinking sand. It comes to us with hope in our sacraments and in our daily lives.

In these first few weeks, the hospitality of Gloria Dei has been a solid rock for me, showing the love of Christ in this place.

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